Nagaland State Museum

Nagaland State Museum (Kohima State Museum) is a cultural history museum located on Bayavü Hill in Kohima, Nagaland, at an elevation of 1,440 meters. Established in 1970 by the Department of Art and Culture, it is the state's premier repository of rare 16-tribe Naga ethnographic artifacts, ceremonial regalia, and historic headhunting trophies.

History & Cultural Significance

Founded on November 25, 1970, the museum was conceived to preserve the material heritage of Nagaland's 16 major recognized tribes during a period of rapid social transition. Before its establishment, ancestral ornaments, carved wooden clan pillars, and headhunting insignia were scattered across remote village morungs (bachelor dormitories) or lost to time. Today, it serves as the primary research archive for scholars and travelers seeking to understand the distinct social structures, folklore, and craft traditions of tribes such as the Angami, Ao, Konyak, Sumi, and Lotha.

Ethnographic Exhibits & Collections

The museum's two floors of exhibition space house thousands of authentic physical relics organized into specialized galleries:

• Ceremonial Attire & Textiles: Intricately woven waistcoats, warrior sashes, and distinctive tribal shawls—including the Angami tsütuo and Ao tsungkotepsu reserved for distinguished leaders. Displays include headgear adorned with genuine Great Hornbill feathers and wild boar tusks.
• Weapons & Warfare: A rare collection of antique dao (broadswords), fire-hardened bamboo spears wrapped in red-dyed goat hair, buffalo-hide shields, and brass headhunting pendants worn by Konyak warriors as symbols of valor.
• Life-Sized Dioramas: Detailed physical models depicting traditional village architecture, morung dormitories, agricultural practices, and ancestral rituals.
• Musical Instruments & Megaliths: Traditional folk instruments such as the tati (single-stringed Angami folk lute), bamboo flutes, and a massive carved wooden log drum exhibited in the outdoor courtyard.

Photography & Visitor Etiquette

Photography is permitted throughout the galleries with a camera fee, but flash is strictly prohibited near delicate antique textiles and hornbill feather headpieces. Touch displays do not exist here—all artifacts are preserved behind glass cases or within fenced dioramas. Respectful silence is appreciated when viewing sacred clan heirlooms and ancestral grave relics.

What NOT to Expect

• High-Tech Digital Displays: Do not expect touchscreens, interactive VR displays, or audio-guide apps; the museum retains a classic mid-20th-century curatorial aesthetic focusing on physical artifacts and descriptive plaques.
• Large Souvenir Shop: Facilities inside are minimal; for local handicrafts and authentic Naga shawls, visit the nearby Kohima Main Bazaar or Handicraft Emporium after your tour.

When Is the Best Time to Visit?

The museum is best visited from October to May when Kohima experiences pleasant, clear mountain weather (15°C–22°C daytime). Visiting in December pairs perfectly with the annual Hornbill Festival at Kisama Heritage Village, allowing travelers to compare centuries-old artifacts with live tribal performances.

Getting There & Nearby Attractions

Located just 1.5 km north of Kohima's main town center (5-10 minutes by local taxi), the museum sits atop Bayavü Hill. It connects easily with a morning itinerary starting at Kohima War Cemetery (10 minutes south) and ending with an afternoon trip to Khonoma Green Village (20 km west).